Utility Prices - This stuff is getting real - 95 utility disconnections in a single day after one of the hottest week-ends on record.
I’ve had a lot to say about utility costs recently, and shared many times my belief that we are sleep walking into a crisis. Oh we know its coming for sure, its on every new bulletin, yet for some reason we’re doing very little about it – and by “we” I mean all of us, even you!
We hear a lot from reporters, experts, business leaders and energy companies but I simply cannot understand why there is not more noise about this from consumers, because if you haven’t felt it yet, its definitely coming your way. Why people are not in the streets protesting is a mystery to me - I can only assume we are all lulled into a false sense of security by the balmy summer weather. I'd urge everyone to consider how they use their personal power, networks and influence to leverage more financial support and force a change of course.
And while we’re all "thinking" about rising winter energy costs, and what we can do about it, this stuff is becoming very real for some people. In a single day, after one of the hottest week-ends on record, our charity dealt with 95 disconnections. Yes – 95 in a single day. Primarily people who have a pre-payment meter with no money to top up their meters over the week-end, calling us on a Monday morning after a miserable week-end and desperate for help.
So, if you think this is a problem for the future, think again. This is happening right now in a house near you, and it’s happening in the summer so take a minute to let that sink in …… Its August.
Can you imagine what life will be like over the winter months? The vulnerable will suffer. Health inequalities will deepen. People will die. I’ll leave you to ponder on that.
Finally, if you, or someone you know is worried about rising energy costs reach out to your local Citizens Advice sooner rather than later, don't wait to be disconnected. You can find your nearest local Citizens Advice by visiting www.citizensadvice.org.uk or you can call our consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.